You have ~$120 to spend, which of these 3 do you get?

[Studabaker]

To improve the cooling and looks of my system:

To improve the cooling of the CPU and play with an Asus P5Q Pro:

So I can put my 2nd system together:

 

[hat]

There's nothing you can really do to improve your system without moving to extreme high end hardware. Build the second computer.

 

[ShadowFold]

Go with 4gb of ram, but don't get a E5200.. They're slow compared to your E7000. With the ram get a good CPU cooler like the S1283 + retention bracket!

 

[a_ump]

yea that P5Q Pro would kinda be a waste, as you already have the UD3R which is a great board from what i hear and according to your oc. I'd say go with your second build as well.

 

[Duxx]

Definitely go with the 2nd computer. The more the merrier and then crunch away! And you always have backup in case something with main goes south.

 

[Studabaker]

don't get a E5200.. They're slow compared to your E7000

Think now, the 2nd system will only be a downloading/file server box, with the cheapest of the cheap stuff in it. Hell I was gonna build it with an Athlon64 3200@3800 that is already ready to go, but since I also now have a 775 board laying around, I figured I'd spring for a cheap Core 2 and upgrade my 2GB of slow PC6400 while I'm at it.

 

[hat]

You can use your primary rig for that, I always do. If you don't have to worry about electricity you can use the second pc for folding.

 

[fullinfusion]

Id just pocket your cash and save up for your dream system

 

[Studabaker]

Id just pocket your cash and save up for your dream system

Nah nah, I always do it a little bit at a time, except for when I bought my original mobo + this RAM and CPU all at once. But anyway, I think you're right (as in, I shouldn't build a 2nd crappy system).

My case does absolutely zero for cooling and my system is running way too hot. I bet the CM 690 would show a huge drop in temperatures. Then I can throw away my 10-year-old plain vanilla case and put my 2nd system in a half-way decent case instead of that one.

Ahh, so much contemplating to do.

 

[sneekypeet]

I have some cases for sale, might save you a bit of loot if you are in the states... PM me for a full list, whats in the FS thread is like 2 out of the 5 or so I have on hand.

 

[fullinfusion]

lol mate, im kinda thinking getting a big azz Coolermaster.... ya know the case with tons of cooling... but i just wish i could get it in a mid sized version.
And as for cooling.... hehe its going down to -3c here tonight... mite be a good time to crank up my rad fan and lock myself in the office with the window open and shoot for over 4ghz

 

[Studabaker]

OK before I left tonight I launched Orthos CPU stress and OCCT's GPU test, everything was fine for about 20 minutes, then I don't know what happens, the OCCT log shows CPU core temps rising up to the 80s after about 20 minutes of the combined tests, which is right around the time that Orthos CPU stress lasted until it crashed out. It also said Crysis.exe failed (does OCCT run Crysis for stress testing about 20 minutes into a GPU stress test?)

I'm definitely leaning toward getting a case with much better cooling than mine offers. It would be nice to have the CM690, with the cooling fan sitting under the GPU blowing cold air up to it...

 

[Dantesinferno]

Hey fullinfusion, are you talking about the HAF 932? Cooler master has a midtower version. Its the 922.
And I agree no no, don't buy the parts for the second computer instead I'd get the case and the Cooler. Though you can get a the CM690 in white if you want. Thats what id get.

 

[LittleLizard]

i would get the case

 

[h3llb3nd4]

The case would be a good choice

 

[a_ump]

Case and get more ram, as the budget def still allows 2gb more to be purchased, shit even 4gb actually.